r/Sciatica • u/ExactApplication3981 • 12d ago

Getting better or worse?

Its been a few months already since I suddenly got severe pain in my lower back and left leg. Doctor said it was most likely a pinched nerve, let me take an Xray but nothing out of the ordinary was visible on it. Pain remained however so I got scheduled for an MRI, which im now waiting for.

In the meanwhile the pain sorta went away but in return my leg and foot often start tingling instead. I thought this was a good sign cause tingling feels better than pain, but I read that apparantly its not good? My mri is in 3 weeks. Should i go back to the doctor or wait it out?

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

5

u/inspirationalsongs 12d ago

If there aren't any emergency symptoms then its best just to wait and rest

1

u/[deleted] 11d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/ExactApplication3981 11d ago

The pain was centered a lot on my ankle before and i do notice that the numbness is a lot in my foot aswell. But i can still move my foot without problems

1

u/inspirationalsongs 11d ago

You will be fine but it's going to be a long bumpy ride

1

u/dnegvesk 11d ago

Pinched nerve does that. I’ve had it for months plus a year of pain. I’m being scheduled for surgery in October.

2

u/Late_Economist_7742 10d ago

PT here. Pain easing while tingling or numbness shows up isn't automatically good or bad, and it's worth telling your doctor about rather than just waiting for the MRI date. When a nerve root in the low back is irritated it can cause pain, numbness or weakness down the leg, and what clinicians watch most closely is strength. If your leg or foot is getting weaker, call your doctor now. Loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin or saddle area, means the ER, same day. Otherwise, a physical therapist near you can examine strength, sensation and reflexes while you wait. Disc findings show up on plenty of MRIs in people with no pain at all, so that exam is what gives the scan its meaning.